Design Challenge #1 - March 2012 - THE KIT
 

Here it is, the first Design Challenge Collab Kit! I am amazed at the incredible submissions we received. If you didn’t participate in the challenge, get yourself over to the MouseScrappers store to scoop up this amazing member created collab! Store Link

http://www.mousescrappers.com/photos...ab_Preview.jpg

You can see larger images of the individual submissions in the Design Challenge 1 gallery.

The CT has created some fabulous layouts using the kit; they are posted in the same DC1 gallery along with some amazing layouts created by some of the Design Challenge participants. If you create a layout using this collab, please post it in the Design Challenge 1 gallery, and while you’re there, leave some love on the individual submission previews that are in the gallery too!

Some of the Design Challenge participants are also offering coordinating freebies on their blogs!
The official start time of the blog hop is 9:00 am CST but these blogs are from all over the world so please be patient and try back later if there is nothing posted when you visit.
Here is the complete list of the stops on the blog hop:

Saar: http://saaronline.blogspot.com
Cindyrelly: http://www.cindyrelly.blogspot.com/
Kamra: http://gdapuppy.blogspot.com/
Fran56789: http://franscraps.blogspot.com
Romajo: www.romajoscrap.blogspot.com
Chef Minnie Mouse: http://lisacampbelldesigns.blogspot.com/
Roxana: http://scrapscardsandmore.blogspot.com/
Omaha: http://marycupofteadesigns.blogspot.com/
Kaylalovesminnie: http://www.geekeryscrapsbykayla.blogspot.com/
Afirmbeliever: http://kbcustomcreations.blogspot.com/
ShabbyAbby: http://shabbyabbystudio.blogspot.com/
Poohaddict: http://donnasscrapsoflife.blogspot.com/
MJAJmom: http://mjajdesigns.blogspot.com/
Pooh46: http://www.bookladydesigns.blogspot.com/
Winipeg1: http://seeitsnapitandscrapit.wordpress.com/

Mind your manners and please leave some love for them when you download their freebies.

The April Design Challenge is already up and running; come join us here!

I will make alphas in the each of the different colours

I have created a little variety. 4 papers and 11 elements. I will be offering a freebie add-on on my blog as well :)

Okay I am going with my original idea...

The kids and I took a trip to E.P.C.O.T. yesterday and I got some great ideas for the Mexican Pavillon after visiting it but I have too many ideas for that one and the colors might have worked but I decided to stick with...

Toy Story Midway Mania :) We went on that ride twice for the First time ever 2 weeks ago (after having passed it many times because of the wait and lack of Fast Passes) and had a BLAST!

So.... I am going to make some fun papers, a banner and I am not sure what else at this point... maybe a paint splatter? I have to see what happens!

:yeah:

I already sent in a set of hearts - outside bevel so there is some dimension and then hearts with a heart center cutout - in all the colors (12 hearts total).

I have made some basic items that could be used in any theme inlcuding 1 dotted paper and 7 elements including a stacked flower, 2 word arts, a button, a ribbon, a bow and a sparkle trail.

I'm making a Donald Duck inspired mini-kit in blues, yellows, white and reds. It includes:
5 patterned papers
5 unique elements: star, tag, string, layered flower and button. Four of these have been duplicated in multiple colors for a total of 10 elements.
One Alpha: blue glitter with yellow and white edge

Freebie...to be determined!!

i will make solid papers in each of the colours

I will make some stitching and some tab/journal elements similar to the ones in my PP for Scraplift #54.

I'm working on a chenille letter alpha, a sparkle trail made up of sequins and some png overlay frames. This is really going to be a stretch for me, on so many levels.

I've made 2 embossed papers, 2 patterned papers and 10 word art bits. I'm working on getting the size down and will then send it in.

Let's up the max folder size to 25mb this time. Too many people are having trouble compressing any further...

I'm going to try designing. Please don't laugh at whatever the outcome is.
I am going to do a "build your own castle" element pack.

Oh man, I'm scared and excited all at the same time!

I'll make some basic elements and patterned papers.

I've made a cork paper, a striped paper, a check paper, a border in 2 colors, and a couple flowers.

I made a blue alpha, upper/lower/numbers using the "Elephant" font.

I would like to make a few brads, ribbons and two frames:surf:

My first attempt at designing for anyone other than me. I've made 5 papers and I'm working on some coordinating elements.

I've finished my part, I just need to get it at the right file size.
I made: 10 patterned papers (5 different patterns), 8 elements (a butterfly, cloud, 2 flowers, a frame, a heart, a kite and a sun) and 2 word arts.

I want to participate, I just need to decide what to make. I think this is a great idea!

I am going to attempt, time permitting, some cardstock, glitter papers and maybe an alpha. Additional items may pop up, but we shall see. Now to go find my CU items that are zipped up and get them out and dusted off. :)

I will make some patterned papers and ribbons.

I'm going to do
 

I'm going to do a Dumbo theme-a few papers, elements and maybe a word art of two. So excited!!!!

I am going to do Cars a few simple elements and papers!! :yeah:

I think I am going to go Goofy! LOL A few papers, elements and maybe some word art. Will that work?

I have a Mary Poppins mini kit started. Hoping for about 8 elements and 4 or 5 papers

I am working on coordinated paper, ribbons, photo corners and tag.

I am going to try burst papers. Hope thats ok!

QUESTION. What size should the papers be I know 12x12 but when I save them and upload them for others they take hours to DL. any suggestions????? (blog hop experience was bad for that reason :( I received alot of complaints)

Maybe I am saving them at to high quality???? not real sure on the designing thing :( but trying to learn

Here's something I wrote up about sizing and saving. I hope it helps, if you have quedtions. Please let me know!

Papers should be:

• 12”x12” 300ppi (which is 3600pixels x 3600pixels),
• Saved as a JPG file that is about 3mb.
  • In Photoshop, after clicking on the “Save As” button, enter the desired file name and select “JPG” from the dropdown menu; click on “OK”. A popup screen should appear entitled “JPG Options”; change the quality value to “8” and click on “OK”. Saving the file with a value of “8” for quality will ensure it is the correct size (approx. 3mb).

Elements/Alphas should be:

• Sized appropriately for a 12”x12” 300ppi layout,
• Make your items the same size you would want them to be when creating a layout,
• Saved as a PNG file—the file size (mb) will vary based on the size (inches) of the element.

Previews should be:

• 12”x12” 50ppi or 2"x2" 300ppi (which is 600pixels x 600pixels),
• Saved as a JPG file that is about 200K. Refer to the instructions for saving papers above,
• They must minimally include your name (the one you used to save the files) and pictures of the items that you created for the challenge,
• Previews may be as basic or elaborate as you want them to be.
  • A basic preview would tile the papers and/or line up the elements,
  • A more elaborate preview would arrange papers and/or elements in a more creative manner—as designers do to advertise their kits.

Compressing (Zipping) the Folder
To zip files place all your elements, the preview, and a TOU inside a folder, then zip that folder. This is automatically creates a folder containing your files in whatever folder the user unzips to.
There are many ways to compress (zip) a folder. You can use a program such as WINZIP/WINRAR or, if you are on a Windows operating system, there is a utility built into Windows that you can use.

• Right click on the folder containing your items and select “Send To”. Click on “Compressed (zipped) folder”. A new folder will be created in the same directory with the same name but it will be compressed (zipped).

How do I color papers? so sorry but do not know how to do it:no:

I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to do, but I found a youtube video that is pretty good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Q24JFFm4Q. I hope it helps, if not, let me know!

in other words the colors given for the Collab; how do I enter those and get them in whatever I want to color?

Oh... How about this???

Here is a link for basic recoloring: http://www.designerdigitals.com/digi...r+.png+file%3F

Below is the method I use to recolor textured elements (like extracted flowers, etc.). I like this method better than the hue/saturation method described in the link above because it gives me more control over what color I want the item to be (I don't have to guess at the color by moving the sliders around).

1. Load your element/paper
2. Change it to greyscale (if it isn't already).
   • click on the Create New Fill/Adjustment Layer button (black and white circle under the layers in the layers palette).
   • select Black & White.
3. Add a solid color fill above the greyscale image.
   • click on the Create New Fill/Adjustment Layer button again (black and white circle under the layers in the layers palette).
   • select Solid Color.
   • change the color to a color from the swatch (or whatever color you want) and click OK.
4. Change the blending mode.
   • with the Color Fill layer still selected, click on the Blending Modes dropbox (above the layers in the layers palette).
   • you can play with the blending modes, but Overlay usually works pretty well for basic things.
5. Change the opacity of the color overlay.
   • if you aren't happy with it at this point, you can change the Opacity of the Color Fill layer using the slider above the layers in the layers palette.

There are so many options you can play with and so many different ways to do things...hopefully this will give you a good start!

Let me know if you have questions!

Thank you! this is exactly what i needed! and thank you for doing it step by step that is the way i understand! :D
Lets see how it will turn out! :surf:

Do we need to say what we are going to make? I'm not quite sure yet, but I will do something. And I didn't see a due date, is it the end of the month?

You don't have to list what you are going to make although it would be nice so others can see what is being made and plan their submissions accordingly (so we have good variety). The due date is March 23 (before 11:59 CST)...next month's challenge will follow a slightly different timeline.

Thanks Christina! When I have something formulated in my brain, I will post!

Oh my goodness... I am still super excited and have a lot of papers done but am trying to finish coordinating my embellishments... So hard to find computer time :( I will be done by the deadline though! I meant to be done by now... :woohoo:

Is there a master list of what is being made by whom?:D

No master list; just what individuals have posted in this thread. I'm hoping to get it a little more organized for next month's challenge. Is there something specific you are looking for? Are you going to join in the fun? :) We would love to have you! :woohoo: